“Authoritarian” and Other Words in Flake’s Speech

“Our democracy will not last”–those are the first five words an article appearing in the Washington Post, and they come from a floor speech that Arizona Senator Jeff Flake (R) delivered on the floor of the chamber on January 17, 2018.

Whatever your politics, it’s a remarkable read. This was a speech accusing the current the President of the United States of anti-democratic behavior, and it was given by a sitting (although outgoing) Senator of the same party. Gnarly.

Anyhoo, my aim here is not to praise or critique the content of the Mr. Flake’s speech, but to provide a closer look at some of the terms that appear in it. As is often the case when words take center stage, people start to wonder just what the hell some of them mean, even if they get thrown about on a (semi-) regular basis. As a case in point, consider Merriam-Webster’s list of “trending” words, which rise to the top of our collective curiosity after appearing in the media (or one of Trump’s tweets … or a response to one of Trump’s tweets).

With that in mind, I’d like to call attention to some of the words that appeared in the Flake Speech. There are quite a few chewy morsels of wordy goodness in Flake’s remarks–empirical, lexicon, annihilate, shame, despotism, slur, obeisance. Although I don’t have the time to dig into them all, I’d like to spend the rest of this post taking a look at a few of them. Naturally, I’ll use some of the texts in the LRL’s collection to help me out.

1) “No longer can we compound attacks on truth with our silent acquiescence. No longer can we turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to these assaults on our institutions.”

To remain at rest, either physically or mentally; to rest satisfied (OED)

Pernicious is from Latin perniciosus (destructive), from pernicies (ruin), based on nex,nec- (death) – Oxford Dictionary of Word Histories

4) “I dare say that anyone who has the privilege and awesome responsibility to serve in this chamber knows that these reflexive slurs of “fake news” are dubious, at best.”

A deliberate slight; an expression or suggestion of disparagement or reproof. (OED)

To pass over lightly or carelessly; treat without due consideration (AHD)

To soil, sully, or contaminate (WD)

To pass over quickly and carelessly; make little of (WNWDAL)

According to the Oxford Dictionary of Word Histories, the origin of slur is unknown, but it’s believed to be related to the Middle English noun slur meaning thin, fluid mud, which in turn gave rise to the verbs smear, smirch, and disparage.

5) “… perhaps the most vexing untruth of all – the supposed “hoax” at the heart of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.”

To trouble, afflict or harass (a person) by aggression by aggression, encroachment, or other interference with peace and quiet. (OED)

To irritate or annoy, as with petty importunities; bother; pester (AHD)

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